Fact Sheet: NSW Knife Laws

Offence It is an offence to have a knife in a public place without a reasonable excuse. What is a knife? A knife includes a knife blade, a razor blade, or any other blade. Are there some knives you need a permit to own? Yes. Under the Weapons Prohibitions Act 1998 (NSW), there are specific knives that you are not allowed to own or carry unless you have obtained a prohibited weapons permit. These include flick knives, ballistic knives, sheath knives, star knives, push daggers and others. See Schedule 1 for a list of knives that are prohibited.